The family of the late Coach Oko Aryee, one of Ghana’s high-achieving Football Coaches of some of Ghana’s National Youth teams, paid a courtesy call on the Ghana Football Association on Tuesday October 1, 2024 at the GFA Headquarters.
The delegation, led by the deceased Coach’s cousin Mr. Aaron Kodi, were given a warm welcome by the President of the GFA, Mr. Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, ably supported by General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo Esq.
Other members of the family delegation were Mr. Edmund Martey Martei, Mr. Alexander Akuetteh Aryee, Mr. Ebenezer Martei Kodi, Mr. Samuel Martey Marmah, Mr. Roger Tetteh and Mrs. Judith Aryee-Asamoah (daughter of the late Coach Oko Aryee).
The President consoles the family and shared some words of encouragement with them. He also eulogized Coach Oko Aryee, pointing at some of the late Coach’s notable achievements as a Football Coach. President Simeon-Okraku went on to assure the family of the support of the GFA as the family prepares to hold the funeral of the deceased Coach. General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo also shared some motivational words with the family.
Some of the memorable achievements of the late Coach Okoe Aryee include his being the first Ghanaian coach to qualify a national team for the FIFA World Cup when he qualified the National Under 17 team, the Black Starlets, for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 1991. Coach Oko Aryee also led the Black Queens to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2003.
He coached prominent Ghanaian football clubs, including Accra Hearts of Oak and Obuasi Goldfields [now known as Ashanti Gold SC]. His exceptional coaching skills and guidance helped shape the careers of national stars including Samuel Osei Kuffour (Bayern Munich and Ghana legend), Mohammed Gargo (former Black Stars player who had a sterling club career in Italy), Nii Odartey Lamptey (former Aston Villa and Ghana player) and Yaw Preko (former Hearts of Oak and Ghana international, who also featured prominently for Belgian top flight side, Anderlecht).
The late Coach Oko Aryee will be laid to rest on Saturday, 12th October, 2024, after a burial service to be held at the Resurrection Methodist Church, Adentan Housing Down, Accra, at 9am on the same day.
Coach Oko Aryee is survived by his wife, Mrs. Rosina Awadzi Aryee, and seven children.
